Remains found in Anza Borrego confirm that she is a missing woman
The San Bernardino County coroner confirmed the remains were found last month, but there is no confirmation from the San Diego coroner.
SAN DIEGO – A spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff/Coroner’s Office has confirmed a report that the remains of a missing woman, Fang Jin, were found last month in Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
Jean, 47, and his companion, John Fitzpatrick, 52, had been missing since late July from Morongo Valley in San Bernardino County, where Fitzpatrick lived.
“The missing person case on Fang Jin in S.D. County has been closed after San Diego investigators notified us that she was found deceased in S.D. County. We have only confirmed that our investigators have received the information and have closed her missing person’s case.” We have not confirmed or suggested that the Our coroner is involved,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Gloria Huerta emailed CBS 8 on Friday.
On Sept. 4, Fitzpatrick’s Toyota Tacoma SUV was found abandoned in the Harbor Flat area of Anza-Borrego, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
The vehicle had several flat tires, CBS 8 reported. The exact location of the truck was not revealed to the public.
On September 17, a hiker found skeletal remains believed to be Fitzpatrick’s in Harper Canyon, several miles from the truck.
On October 28, a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department search and rescue team found Finn’s remains in the general area of the Harper Canyon Trail. The San Diego County Sheriff had previously confirmed that Fitzpatrick’s body had been found and that Jean’s remains “were located in the general vicinity of Mr. Fitzpatrick’s residence.”
The San Diego County Medical Examiner still has not officially confirmed identification of either set of remains. Both autopsies remain sealed at the request of San Diego police investigators due to the ongoing investigation.
In response to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office releasing information about the discovery of Jane’s remains, San Diego County Public Information Director David LaDue wrote: “I cannot confirm what another county coroner’s office is releasing. At this time there is no additional information available for release from the San Diego Sheriff’s Office.
Fitzpatrick was a former Navy SEAL who met Jane online and struck up a relationship with her. Jane traveled from her home in China to Los Angeles to meet with Fitzpatrick on July 14.
